Rooster Dies On Gallops

Rooster Booster died on the gallops this morning while being prepared for the Stan James Christmas Hurdle at Sandown on Boxing Day.

'He died of either a haemorrhage or a heart attack. We´re not sure yet,' said trainer Philip Hobbs.

The 11-year-old grey won the 2003 Champion Hurdle and was runner-up to Hardy Eustace the following year. 'At least he died enjoying what he did best,' said Hobbs.

'He was having a gallop ahead of the Christmas Hurdle when it happened.'

Rooster Booster was runner-up to Harchibald in that race at Kempton last year. His regular partner Richard Johnson was devastated on hearing the news.

'It´s a big shock. He was a horse that loved life and he was always in a rush to get from A to B,' he said.

'He gave great pleasure, not only to myself but to the owner and to everyone connected with him.

'He gave me one of the highlights of my career when winning the Champion Hurdle. It was a fantastic day and I´ll never forget him.' The Riverwise gelding, owned by Terry Warner, graduated from the handicapping ranks to lift the Cheltenham Festival feature two years ago.

Rooster Booster ran with credit in a string of big handicaps before landing a deserved success in the County Hurdle at the Festival in 2002.

He proved a revelation the following season, notching up a sequence of five wins including the Bula Hurdle before landing the Champion Hurdle itself.

Hobbs´ charge won the 2004 Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock before putting up an amazing performance to be beaten just a short head in the Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury despite shouldering top weight.

Rooster Booster had failed to hit his previous heights last season but he won on his seasonal bow at Huntingdon before disappointing in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham last month.

? PA Sport